West Texas

Fears of terrorism have made it harder than ever for citizens to find out what dangerous chemicals lurk in their backyards. Secrecy and shoddy record-keeping have kept the public and emergency workers in the dark about stockpiles of explosive material.

Russian authorities have blamed “inhuman treatment” for the death of a 3-year-old boy adopted by an American family, but Texas officials say they are still investigating claims that the child was abused before his death.

A state trooper says one person was killed and least 17 injured in a series of accidents that occurred when a violent West Texas dust storm forced authorities to close a portion of Interstate 27 north of Lubbock.